Valour FC GM and head coach Rob Gale doesn’t have much to complain about his squad over the first two matches of the Canadian Premier League 2021 season – a pair of 2-nil wins.
Still, that won’t stop the gaffer from pushing his side to get better as it heads into its third match of the CPL’s ‘Kickoff’ event Saturday night against Atlético Ottawa at IG Field.
Gale was asked Friday to comment on what he has liked and what needs to be worked on through the first two matches, which has the team now tied with Cavalry FC atop the early CPL standings.
First, the good stuff…
“I’ve like the organization,” said Gale. “I’ve liked the pressing at times. I’ve liked their desire and character, for sure.”
And what needs improvement…
“I haven’t liked the final ball in transitional moments, other than Jared’s (Ulloa), the other night which was good movement by Willie (Akio),” said Gale, referencing Valour’s second goal in the win over HFX Wanderers FC. “We’ve often picked the wrong pass or dribbled it or taken too many touches on the ball, so our possession game has got to get better and our final ball in transition has got to get better.”
All that said, clearly it’s better to be making these adjustments with an unblemished record than in working out of an early-season hole.
We know… that’s Captain Obvious.
Gale did offer this take when asked about how the positive results help build on what was already a team with a solid chemistry – an aspect that has been visible on the pitch through two games and is apparently unfolding in the CPL bubble, too.
“Damian (Rocke, Valour Assistant GM/head coach) and I had a conversation about this a little while ago,” said Gale. “Someone was saying, ‘You don’t have to like your teammates, you just have to respect them.’ Any team that Damo and I used to play on back in the day… it’s a lot more fun on the field if you like the person and you’re a lot more willing to go the extra mile. I’ve been in dressing room gets booted and you’re one who then plots one back on the opponent who’s just done it; you stand up and be counted. I’ve also been in dressing rooms where someone’s got kicked and you’re like, ‘Oh, good. I’m glad. Saved me from doing it when I got behind the door.’
“The camaraderie, the team spirit, that transcends to field. It’s been bubbling away nicely behind the scenes here. I feel sorry for our neighbours below us and beside us, because some of the singing each night has been… suspect.
“They’re a great bunch of fellas. It’s an honour and a privilege to lead this group of men.”
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‘V’ NOTES
‘The Beast’ gets saluted – The CPL announced Friday that Valour centreback and co-captain Andrew Jean-Baptiste was named the player of the week.
https://canpl.ca/article/valour-fc-defender-andrew-jean-baptiste-named-canpl-ca-player-of-the-week
“Well done. Well done, Andrew,” said Gale. “Well done, CPL. Good choice. He’s been excellent.”
Short turnaround — Valour will be playing its third match since last Sunday and, as Gale pointed out Friday, is the only squad with two days rest between them.
“We’re up against it on the physical side and obviously we’ve had a short bench so far,” he said. “We’ve just got to get the guys rested and recovered as best we can and try to execute a proper gameplan for 90 minutes.”
Hot, hot, hot – Kickoff for Saturday’s match has been moved from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. because of the extreme heat, a schedule change Gale was pressing for earlier in the week.
“I think it’s still meant to be about 35 at kickoff… it’s not pleasant on short rest,” he said. “Credit to the league. They have shown that the health and safety of everybody involved is of utmost importance. They’ve shown that they’re willing to adapt and change and those things were already in move before I was making any pleas. It was a great decision by the league. I’m just worried about the health and well-being of my group of lads and to play in the scorching heat in the middle of the day would have been absolutely outrageous. Good decision.”
Coming soon – Gale said Friday that Brazilian veteran Rafael Galhardo trained with the club for the first two days after finishing his quarantine and will be available to the squad soon.
“He’s still getting his sea legs, shall we say. He’ll be available for selection when physically everybody feels he’s capable of being able to give us some good minutes.”
Meanwhile, Mexican defender Rodrigo Reyes, on loan from Chivas Guadalajara, could be available for the July 7th game against York United FC.